Manchester United academy head Nick Cox insists Harry Maguire's speech to the club's youth-teamers ahead of their FA Youth Cup semi-final win over Wolves was not a 'gimmick'.
Maguire was in attendance for United Under-18s' 3-0 win over Wolves at Old Trafford on Wednesday night along with goalkeeper Dean Henderson, football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher.
The United captain first played at Old Trafford as an 18-year-old for Sheffield United in the second leg of the 2011 Youth Cup - the last time United won the competition.
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United reached their first Youth Cup final in 11 years on Wednesday evening through two goals from Charlie McNeill and an Alejandro Garnacho strike.
"Harry popped down to the dressing room before the game to speak to the boys," Cox said. "He approached us yesterday. Harry was watching Youth League games at Leigh Sports Village right in the early rounds at the beginning of the season.
"He's got a keen interest, he watches youth team games, this isn't a gimmick, something he's done for tonight's game. This is consistent with his behaviors but obviously, it catches the attention tonight.
"He approached us yesterday and said it is something he'd like to do. Travis and Harry have a relationship because they were part of the same Sheffield United group that came to Old Trafford in the Youth Cup in 2011, so that was something we welcomed.
"It was important for the boys to know they had support from across the club and the club captain, so it was nice he could pop in, say a few words, then sit back and watch the game with us in the directors' box.
"I'm confident the boys would've been delighted to see Harry there in his usual reassuring and calm manner, sharing some words of experience. Of course, he's played in big games here as a youth player, he played in a Youth Cup final, so it was nice he could share some of his experiences."
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